Source: http://worldcityweb.com/home/MIA/publications/magazine/56/926/

(4-b) Miami Trade 2008 Q1 (Exports) - 1,000% Gain for Hazardous Export

by WC


One of South Floridas fastest-growing exports is hardly a household term heterocyclic compounds, or more specifically, chemical compounds containing an un-fused pyridine ring.Pyridine is a hazardous liquid with a fishy smell that is often used as a solvent and is chemically related to benzene. Pyridine compounds have a wide range of applications, serving as a building block in the pesticide, pharmaceutical, food and explosive industries.

Through the first three months of the year, exports of heterocyclic compounds were up more than 1,000 percent, from $14.2 million to $161.1 million. Just five years ago, it was South Floridas 273rd most import export in the first quarter; a year ago, it was up to No. 127. It now ranks No. 15. In the first quarter of the year, more pyridine compounds left MIA than anywhere else in the nation.

Two other export categories showed larger dollar-value growth: precious metal scrap, which increased $280.5 million, and aircraft engines and parts, up $226.9 million. At a time of soaring precious metals prices, South Florida is playing an increasing role in world trade. It ended the year as the fifth most important customs district for such exports, but for the first quarter of 2008 it ranks No. 2 behind New York It is not possible to identify the specific metal from U.S. Census data but, if classified correctly, is probably not gold or platinum. The exports are almost all bound for Switzerland. Almost all of South Florida exports of jet engines and parts leave from Miami International Airport and are bound for Brazil, home to Embraer, the worlds third-largest aircraft manufacturer, and a growing aviation industry.